Herzog nixes unity gov't, won't be PM's 'bleaching agent'

[geek tragedy]

http://www.timesofisrael.com/herzog-nixes-unity-govt-wont-be-pms-bleaching-agent/

“Netanyahu said there’s a huge chasm between us. He said during the elections that we are anti-Zionists, and he said during the election that I will basically sell the country to the Arabs,” Herzog said while speaking with the New York Times on Friday. “I haven’t heard anything to the contrary. I’m not intending to be the troubleshooter or the fixer or the bleaching element in his government.”

[It is Tuesday]

1. Herzog wants to prove that Likudniks can't govern

and will be the next PM on his own right.

And so far, Herzog is correct on his views, and I liked him then, and like him now.

[oberliner]

2. Well done

Stay strong Herzog and Labor!

[Jefferson23]

3. ..and an ever-growing nuclear threat from Iran? They'll never give up the bullshit it seems.

Netanyahu's delicate coalition dance

With both the parties he needs and his own Likud MKs clamoring for what they see as their deserved portfolios, the prime minister must make everyone happy – but does he have a coalition ace up his sleeve?

Published: 03.29.15

This week's crisis in coalition talks with Moshe Kahlon and his Kulanu party is only the first in a list of looming crises in the negotiations on the formation of the next government.

There is a belief that the number of seats won by the Likud and the undisputed power of Benjamin Netanyahu would prevent such crises: No one wants more elections, and the coalition partners must accept what Netanyahu gives them. But this is a mistake.

Despite his strength, Netanyahu is dependent on those who will make up his coalition. No Kahlon and no Bennett means no government. And without Yisrael Beytenu's Avigdor Lieberman, he has a narrow government that will not last.

There still remains the Rivlin option, which the president hinted at in his speech Wednesday during the ceremony to give Netanyahu the mandate to form the next government. Rivlin wants a unity government.

It was impossible not to think how it would look if Herzog, and not Netanyahu, had been standing there waiting to be tasked by Rivlin with forming the next government. Reuven Rivlin, a candid man who could never hide his feelings, barely looked at Netanyahu. His body language clearly said how he feels about the man who stood in front of him.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4641816,00.html

[It is Tuesday]

4. That is why Herzog will be the next PM of Israel

after the coalition collapses after Kulanu leaves the coalition after Bibi starts getting ahead of himself....

Bibi is walking on a very thin rope....

[sabbat hunter]

5. I don't think that

Rivlin dislikes Bibi. Rivlin is against a two state solution, but also is a strong supporter of minority rights, in particular the rights of Israeli Arabs. He even has gone so far as to say he wants a single state will all Arabs living in the WB given Israeli citizenship, over a two state solution.

That all being said, I would love to see Bibi fail in his efforts, and instead Herzog becomes PM.

[shaayecanaan]

6. He hasn't nixed a unity government

He has pointedly refused to state whether or not he would be prepared to serve in a unity government.